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The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 23: Duchess
Vana's POV “If you’re going to ask where I have been, my answer would be that I am in my office the whole time,” Duchess Even stated, answering us before the question could even slip our tongues. She was weeping only a while ago and we even had to calm her down before we could finally talk to her. She cannot fathom being in the room with her dead husband, so we had no choice but to head to the room on the right to question and interview her. Ms. Angela requested for Professor Zander to watch over the crime scene while we’re here, letting Ms. Rosemary stay with the suspects to keep a close eye on them. My mind was blank the whole time we changed rooms; my head occupied by the magic I felt on the mirror. The magic is clouded and could not be identified by my ability. The aura, on the other hand, is thinly holding onto the air. The duchess sobbed as she waited for a question to come from us, lifting her gaze as she wipes the tears in her eyes. “And here I was planning to make up with
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 24: Lady Whitney
Vana's POV “I only went to two places in that time. Mother’s office and father’s office,” Lady Whitney answered, giving a sold alibi for us. Her alibi is considered strong and true from the get-go. Duchess Even’s statements proves that Lady Whitney’s words that she was in her mother’s office were true. She was there to convince her mother to make up with her father. The latter, which is her visit to her father, is also proven by Ms. Emily’s statement. According to Ms. Emily, in her second and final visit to the duke, she stumbled upon and left the room with Lady Whitney. And with all of their alibis and testimonies cross-examined and checked, I can safely tell that none of the three—or at least—one or two of the three are innocent and is not the killer. I still have doubts to some of them. And I also have a few more questions to ask the lady. “You visited your mother after dinner to request her to make up with your father, correct?” I asked, cross-examining her for the third time.
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 25: The Missing Pieces
Vana's POV The hallways in the manor flickered with light through the luminescent torch lights that was glued against the walls. Bright orange-yellow color beamed down across the hall, with the moonlight serving as an extra layer of light in the already lighted hallway. Jerome and I have departed ways after we call for the people who’re we assigned to be with. Jerome was assigned to talk to the butler about the missing footman and the cook to head to Ms. Angela, before following me to investigate the teapot. Meanwhile, I had asked Ms. Emily for assistance to guide me to where the teapot has been set aside in the kitchen. I grunted, pulling myself together as we walk down on the manor’s ground floor, and through an empty hallway. The hallway led to the back side of the manor, where the staff’s halls are located. As we delve deeper into the hallway, the walls become more lifeless, and the lights dimmed. Paintings disintegrated the further we walk, and neither decorum or intricately d
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 26: Mirror
Vana's POV “Vana, I do hope you know what you’re trying to say,” Ms. Angela muttered, crossing her arms against her chest. She gave me a warning look, looming her head down. I straightened my back, a chill running down my spine. I know explaining the whole scenario is the hardest part of it and convincing them without revealing anything concrete is part of it. I gazed straight at Ms. Angela’s eyes, showing her my conviction in my conclusion. “I’m fully aware, Ms. Angela, but I do have one last question I have to confirm with Lady Whitney,” I stated, determined of my decision. “Shall I call everyone?” Professor Zander wondered, intervening in the conversation. “Please do, Professor. And Vana, I hope you are not mistaken,” Ms. Angela said, sighing in defeat as she leaves the investigation to me. I broke away from my gaze to Ms. Angela, gulping as I lower my head down. “Yes, I’ll come with Professor Zander,” I said, nodding. “Then, follow me,” Professor Zander murmured, bobbing his
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 27: First Case Closed
Vana's POV “How did you know?” Ms. Zeraphine snapped, growling with her voice howling so soundly. “If you’re going to commit a crime, at least make sure you don’t leave traces of it behind,” I mused. “You wouldn’t thin anyone would suspect you, didn’t you, Lady Zeraphine.” “Mother…” Lady Whitney murmured, gasping. A crooked smile crept up at Ms. Zeraphine’s face, creating an atmosphere of deceit and fear around us. “How smart of you,” she commented with a mocking gaze. “I felt traces of your magic not only in this room, but also around the manor. You’ve probably been keeping track of our whereabouts since the murder took place, but you didn’t conceal your magic enough,” I explained. “You even let your daughter caught whiff of your magic.” “How did you know that I am the killer? I was supposed to be dead,” Ms. Zeraphine exclaimed. “Reasoning, M’lady. Lady Whitney gave it all away. Someone who is sensitive to magic can sense if there is magic in play in their surroundings, but the
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 28: Guilty
Vana's POV Ms. Zeraphine burst out laughing, chortling as if Ms. Angela’s words did not intimidate her. She’s obviously intimidated, just like the rest of us, but her reaction doesn’t give that away. Silence followed after seconds of laughter, her voice echoing in the room. She loomed her head at us, her chin raised as if asserting her dominance. Her gaze reflected against the light, flashing a frightful glare. “Fine, I confess to the crime. I did murder Duke Castiel Glyndel. I killed my husband,” she admitted, her lips forming a smirk. My blood boiled as I clench my fist. She admitted to the crime like a proud winner, remorseless of the murder she had committed. I understand if she feels rage and resentment towards her ex-husband, but this… she looks like a madman. “Why did you do it? What’s your motive?” Ms. Angela asked, a grim expression pressed on her face. “Motive? Are you seriously asking me that?” Ms. Zeraphine chuckled, rolling her eyes at us. “I thought you’re the intell
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 29: A Test
Vana's POV The next few days have been extremely different from what I expected. I had thought that we’ll be back on track on our mission after the investigation we had on the duke’s death. What I didn’t expect, is that a serious, official investigation has to be done as well. The investigation commenced in secret with only a few people aware of the duke’s death. Because of that, our mission has been postponed for the time being and will continue once the investigation has been resolved. Because we were in the manor at the time of duke’s death, and solved the murder case, the investigation went smoothly with our help. Ms. Zeraphine was detained for the time being in the south wing of the duke’s manor, away from the eyes and ears of the servants and people of the manor. She was locked in a room, guarded by trusted police of the House of Glyndel. She’ll stay there for further investigation. The crime, however, had been examined thoroughly again, and the inspectors needed to heavily r
The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion Chapter 30: Official Mission
Vana's POV I took the liberty of flipping the file open, revealing it for everyone to read. The file contained a long, two-paged investigation report of the Breathing Deadman case, with a detailed information of the crime scene. After that, there are photos taken on the day the crime scene was first investigated, the evidence on the photos raw and fresh from the scene. There were multiple shots taken of the same area in different angles, giving us, the inspectors, a 3D perspective of the place. The following page of the file is a transcript of an interview of the only prime suspect and only personnel that was along the victim for supposedly the rest of their night shift and the whole night. What piqued my attention, though, is the conclusion of the prime suspect’s alibi. Because of the alibi she has given, she was excluded and considered not a prime a suspect. She was taken off the suspect list, and the list only included a number of insignificant names. There’s no way she was take
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- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Epilogue Part 3:
Vana's POV“I do. I plan to return to Ashern after I graduate. I also plan to publicly leave the Shadows and remain its member in the dark. Then, I’ll open my own detective agency—”“You’re opening your own agency!” Jerome exclaimed, slamming his hands on the table, which startled me. “Seriously?”“Y-yes?” I stammered, bewildered. “Something wrong with it?”“Not really, but you’re going to do that alone?” Jerome scowled.“No, why do you think I’m telling it to you?”“It’s not what I think, is it?”“More or less. It’s what I need your opinion—or your answer, in this case. I can’t do it alone, and that’s a fact. That’s why, if you would like, I would like to have a partnersh
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Epilogue Part 2:
Vana's POVI stared in front of Green Serpent’s guildhall as I arrive at their doorsteps, contemplating myself. I gulped, pursing my lips as I hesitate to take a step forward. Maybe it’s a wrong idea to be here.The last time I stepped foot in this place was when I left the guild. Since then, I never tried or dared to return or join any other guild. I have other plans for the future. None of them includes joining another guild, even if it is Golden Scorpion.“Vana, I thought you wouldn’t arrive,” a voice called, and I turned to face who it was. Cara plastered a smile on her face as she came up to me, her hair flailing on her bare shoulders.“Good afternoon, Cara,” I greeted with a thin line on my face.“Why haven’t you entered?” she wondered.“Well…” I hesitated, gla
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Epilogue Part 1:
Vana's POV9 months laterI got off the train with my suitcase rolling on the ground, lifting my hands up in the air as the sun beamed above me. It’s been six months since the last time I was in Auregon. It’s been nine months since the Case of the Serpent and Scorpion came to an end.Many things happened in the past nine months. Many to be even count in my hands. I don’t even know where to start. After Chairman Zerondale’s arrest, he was jailed in the palace dungeons and was investigated for nearly a whole month by the royal investigators.He was put in trial the following month after the investigation, with all the charges we filed to him. It took almost two months for all his crimes to be verdicted, and in the end, he was sentenced to death.Lifetime of servitude or liftetime in prison wasn’t enough of a verdict for all
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 178: Conflict Resolved
Vana's POV“You’re right. I made a mistake… a lot more than I could have ever imagined,” Master Sergis agreed, muttering.I flinched, my head tilting down at Master Sergis’ direction. His hands crumpled the letter, staring at it with his teeth gritting. A regretful gaze flickered in his eyes, raising it up at the ice wall’s direction.“From the beginning, I should have known something is going on when Zerondale enticed me against Ashemre. I should have… noticed that he fabricated it all,” he admitted, his voice full of sorrow and regret.“I knew Ashmere wasn’t that kind of person, and my wife would never betray me like that,” he mentioned, pertaining to the conversation between Ms. Madison and Master Ashmere that led to a cheating misunderstanding.“I should have… listened to t
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 177: Two Guilds
Vana's POV“And I have the evidence to prove it,” I boasted.Heads turned and raised up at me as I yell, jaws dropped and irritated looks carved out of their faces. I stood in front of them with my back straight, breath hitching as my actions sink into my head.What in the magic did I just do?“Now you’ve done it…” Jerome mumbled with a sigh next to me.Not only did I used my magic arbitrarily and unexpectedly, but I also revealed the journal right from the start without any prior explanation. It’s already a mess, and I think I only made things messier.“How are the two of you even here? Aren’t you supposed to be executed?” Master Sergis asked in a shout. “Wha—how—” That is exactly the reason why things got complicated.It was surprising
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 176: Unsettling Feeling
Vana's POV“Case closed…” I mumbled with an unsettling feeling in my chest.“Vana, are you okay?” Jerome asked as he ran towards me in concern.I blinked, flustered as Jerome took my hand as soon as he knelt next to me. My eyes widened, but I remained composed as I pick myself up. “I’m… fine. I just… felt underwhelmed by everything,” I said, standing up from my spot.A soft smile curled up my lips as I assure him. He held my hand gently and we walked down from the stage. The chaos was all over the place, but my gaze fixated on Jerome as we head down the stage together.I followed him from behind, my eyes going back and forth between his back and his bleeding hands that held mine. I paused on my step, unable to stop the urge to speak.“Are you satisfied? About your revenge?&r
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 175: Case Closed
Vana's POV“Do you see it now? We lured you in a trap, Chairman Zerondale. Do you think I would be stupid enough not to realize that you were planning to assassinate the king?” I stated, a smirk plastered on my face.Chairman Zerondale stepped back, horror and fury stirring in his eyes. His jaw clenched, gritting his teeth with his eyes glaring at me. The Shadows surrounded him at the back center of the platform, our weapons drawn.“You can’t run away from your crimes forever, Chairman Zerondae. It’s time for you to face it,” Jerome said, taking a step forward.A sharp curve cured on Chairman Zerondale’s lips, a hysteric laugh leaving his mouth. He laughed out loud, a grim atmosphere emitting out in the air. He raised his eyes at us, a grim smile plastered on his face.“You can arrest me all you want, but I will alw
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 174: Trap
Vana's POV“Can you do it?” I asked Gregory as I roam inside his room.Gregory, Jerome, and I gathered inside his chambers to cast the illusion spell as part of our trap against Chairman Zerondale. Thanks to the information Professor Zander provided from the Magic Council Tower, and with a bit of calculation, inferencing, and assumptions, we narrowed down the day the Chairman would assassinate the king.“Shall we start then?” Gregory implored, standing at the center of his chambers.He glanced at me, gesturing for me to move out of the room as he prepares himself to cast the spell. Jerome observed the scene from outside of the room, leaning against the doorframe with his injured body covered with gauze.It hasn’t been a week since we were treated, and his bruises aren’t healed with magic either.I moved ove
- The Case of the Serpent and Scorpion
Chapter 173: The Dragon Egg
3rd POVThe halls of Jasper Academy remained peaceful as the new academic year began. It won’t be long for Professor Zander to be asked to return to the academy, having to start teaching his new students. Unfortunately, he’s still in the middle of a mission.He made it an excuse that he’ll be having orientations with his new class, hiding his main objective of heading to the Magic Council Tower. Gregory already made arrangements with Angela about the Special Unit helping them, requesting Angela’s mother, Chairwoman Iris, to access the tower.Professor Zander lurked around the hallways near the Magic Council Tower, observing the people entering in and out of the tower. In the few minutes of his observation, only Chairwoman Iris entered the tower, with none of her assistants following her inside.It was the signal he’d been waiting for; one that Angela and Gregory menti
